GMC collabs with APDCL to regulate taxation, with over 1 lakh property tax defaulters in Guwahati.

The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited has been constantly appealing to the residents of Guwahati to update their respective GMC holding numbers of the electricity provider’s website. The step has been taken as over 1 lakh households and jurisdictions under the Corporation have been found to be defaulting on property tax.

In the latest notification issued by APDCL reads, “An Earnest Appeal- All the esteemed consumers of APDCL falling under the GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) area are appealed to update their respective GMC Holding No./Assessment ID in the portal of APDCL before 30.09.2022.”

APDCL has also mandated the submission of GMC Holding No./Assessment ID of the premises while applying for a new electricity connection. The electricity provider has even said that connections of customers who fail to do so by September end will be disrupted. The number will be incorporated in the electricity bill henceforth.

However, the appeal has been made by APDCL on behalf of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, after both government departments have come to an understanding to regulate the taxpayers under GMC’s jurisdiction.

Satyajyoti Boruah, Joint Commissioner of GMC told Business Northeast that of about 2.5 lakh property taxpayers under GMC, only 1.5 lakh have been paying their taxes. “We have found over 1 lakh defaulters who have a Holding number but are not paying their taxes. There are many others who have not even applied for the GMC registration. This has been a major issue with especially the flats.”

Officials of the APDCL have informed that two engineers of the company have been sent on deputation to GMC to get an accurate number of those flouting the rules. “Our engineers will compare the APDCL data with that of GMC to get the actual number of customers either without GMC registration, or those not paying the taxes. We have given time till September 30 so that customers do the needful, post which necessary action will be taken against violators,” said an official.

In the last fiscal 2021-22, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation collected Rs. 113 crores in revenue. In 2020-21 the revenue collection had been Rs. 109 crores.

Of the Rs. 113 crores, only Rs. 62 crores was in property tax. Remaining Rs. 22 crores was collected from license fee, Rs. 11 crores from the Planning branch, and Rs. 18 crores combined from the Hoarding and Advertisement branch, Veterinary branch, health and Sanitation branch, Enforcement branch, Water works, and CESS poll.

Despite a record revenue collection in the last fiscal, the former GMC Commissioner had said it to be substantially low. And in order to augment revenue from property tax collection, the Corporation has collaborated with APDCL to keep track of consumers within its jurisdiction.

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